The pride of the Gong Show, Cheryl Lynn used her appearance on that program to
launch a successful career that included eight top 20 singles between 1978 and 1989.
Born March 11, 1957 in Los Angeles, Lynn was raised in a local church where her
mother conducted the music. Although she sang in choirs, her fate as a secular singer was
sealed after agreeing to be on the Gong Show on the advice of her boyfriend. She
performed the Joe Cocker classic "You Are So Beautiful" and the reaction to her
soaring voice led to an immediate contract with Columbia.

Her
self-titled LP was one of 1978's pleasant surprises thanks to "Got To Be Real"
and "Star Love," two of the more memorable songs of the late disco era.
She would remain linked with dance music via the classics "Encore" and
"Shake It Up Tonight," yet she could also handle ballads with ease. Her
remake of "If This World Were Mine," sang with Luther Vandross, was a top 10
single in 1982 and made a believer of everyone who wasn't already aware of her captivating
presence. A switch to Virgin brought her final hits in "Everytime I Try
To Say Goodbye" and "Whatever It Takes."